STARTING POINT
Conforto gets in, crushes home run
Through the Mets’ first five games, Michael Conforto had been limited to pinch-hitting duty.
That changed Sunday night against the Marlins at Citi Field, when he got his first start of the season. And he made it count. After working a basesloaded walk in the first, Conforto crushed a solo homer to right-center in the sixth inning of a 5-2 win.
Terry Collins accurately predicted Conforto’s success before the game.
“I think he knows ‘This is my chance to show them I belong here and I should stay here,’” Collins said. “That’s why I think he’ll have a big game ... I think he’s fighting for something and good players, when they see it, they chomp at the bit to get it.”
Conforto only had four plate appearances before Sunday’s game, as Yoenis Cespedes, Curtis Granderson and Jay Bruce are all locked into starting spots.
On Sunday, he filled in for Granderson in center — and had mixed results defensively. His lack of aggression in the top of the third meant Cespedes came over from left to try to catch Miguel Rojas’ fly ball and Cespedes dropped it.
But overall, Conforto made the most of his opportunity.
“He came into camp bound and determined to make the club and certainly wanted to be a big part of the team,’’ Collins said. “He’s handled it great. Is he happy about it? Probably not. He’s handled it tremendously. He’s asked questions.”
Conforto entered last season in the starting lineup, but ended up back at Triple-A Las Vegas. He ended up on the major league roster this season thanks to an excellent spring training and an oblique injury to Juan Lagares.
“I thought he’s had some really good at-bats off the bench,” Collins before the series finale. “He’s worked really hard to [succeed] in that role.”
Fernando Salas tossed a scoreless eighth and has now pitched in five of the Mets’ first six games and has yet to allow a run. ... Jacob deGrom will make his second start of the season Monday in Philadelphia. He’s 4-0 with a 2.42 ERA in seven starts versus the Phillies — and the Mets have won all of those games.